Effect of Antiplatelet/Anticoagulant Use on Glaucoma Progression in Eyes With Optic Disc Hemorrhage

To assess whether the use of antiplatelets (APs)/anticoagulants (ACs) affects glaucoma progression in eyes with optic disc hemorrhage (DH).

One hundred and nineteen eyes from 119 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma in whom a DH was observed at least once during the follow-up period (mean follow-up duration: 6.2 y) were included in this retrospective observational study. Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify the association between putative factors, including AP/AC use, and glaucoma progression. Glaucoma progression was assessed on the basis of changes noted on serial optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer photographs or changes in the visual field.

Nineteen of the 119 patients took AP/AC drugs daily [AP/AC use group (AG)], while the others did not [no use group (NG)]. The follow-up period to progression was significantly different between the 2 groups (61.2±23.5 mo for the AG and 47.6±22.0 mo for the NG; P=0.016). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a greater cumulative probability of glaucoma progression in the NG than in the AG, with borderline statistical significance (P=0.081). Higher mean intraocular pressure during the follow-up period was a risk factor for glaucoma progression (hazard ratio, 1.107; P=0.014), while AP/AC drug use protected against glaucoma progression (hazard ratio, 0.576; P=0.046).

According to our result, use of AP/AC drugs was associated with lower risk of glaucoma progression in eyes with DH.